Chapter 93

Chapter 93
“Stop telling people I'm your wife immediately,” Chloe said, raising her finger to point at Ruan’s face, deeply unsettled by what she considered childish behavior.

Even when they were married, he never proudly claimed Chloe as his wife. This sudden change in his behavior left her both confused and furious. It seemed as though Ruan only did it to hurt her.

He gently caught her finger, watching the movement, and lowered her hand, disarming Chloe in a way she never expected.

Ruan left the police station, reeling from everything he had heard. He drove to the street where Josephine lived, stopped in front of the house, and stared at the building. He debated confronting his ex-mother-in-law, but the thought of Christopher stopped him.

Not only that, but he started the car again and doubled back, heading straight to the school where Chris studied. Occasionally he forgot that Chloe worked there, too. Remembering that also reminded him that Elijah owned the school and loved courting his ex-wife.

It was devastating for him to find Leonidas grabbing Chloe at the school entrance, trying to kiss her. Ruan’s blood boiled. He moved with lightning speed, confronting Leonidas, ready to start a brawl.

“Why didn't you tell me Leonidas had returned to Phoenix?” He stepped toward Chloe, forcing her back against the lockers with no room to escape.

“Why should I tell you…” Her throat suddenly went dry. “I was busy trying to find out who the man was that assaulted you. I didn't have time.”

She crossed her arms and turned her face away, attempting to turn the tables on him. But Ruan didn't budge an inch. He raised his arm and braced it against the metal locker, making Chloe stare at him in fear.

“What is your deal, Ruan?” Chloe froze, stunned as she watched him corner her, unable to do anything but ask, “Are you eager to ruin my first day of work?”

“I wasn't the one trying to kiss you by force,” he said, making Chloe’s cheeks flush with anger. “I came to see Christopher, but I won't disrupt his class.”

“I wouldn't have let Leonidas kiss me,” she said, finally pushing him away; her hands stung as if she had touched fire. “If you only came for this, you can leave now.”

Ruan laughed, remembering how much he loved Chloe's fiery temper. He enjoyed seeing her irritated. To him, it wasn't a flaw; it was a quality, and he loved watching her lose her composure. She noticed the foolish grin on his lips and recalled how much he used to enjoy doing this to her.

“A simple thank you for saving you would have been enough,” he said, stepping back. “But I’m a man of my word. Your traitorous ex-boyfriend will regret ever getting near you again.”

Chloe didn't understand what he meant. It made no sense for her ex-husband to defend her from a cheating ex-boyfriend. That relationship had ended so many years ago that defending her now felt more like jealousy than anything else.

She shook her head, dismissing her thoughts. Ruan didn't love her—he never had—so it made no sense for him to be jealous.

“Chloe,” Elijah’s voice echoed from behind Ruan. “You should be in the classroom. Your students are anxious to meet you.”

Chloe saw the exact moment Ruan closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. He still remembered the scene at the hospital—how Elijah constantly hovered over Chloe—and how uncomfortable it made him every single time.

Her nails dug into her skin as she pulled away, smiling at Elijah. He managed to catch her before she could leave.

“Good luck on your first day,” he said. It wasn't exactly what he intended to say, but it was all he could manage in that moment.

Her slight smile said everything. The sparkle in her eyes when she heard him say that shifted his mood. Chloe walked away, finally joining Elijah. Ruan couldn't stand to look at them together, so he fixed his gaze elsewhere.

“Don't worry, Ruan. I’ll take care of her and your son, too.”

That was the worst part for Ruan—hearing Elijah offer to look after Chloe and Christopher without even being asked. His fists clenched tighter. He paused to catch his breath and, realizing Elijah was about to leave, spoke coldly.

“Does your school allow strangers to hang around during classes?” Elijah stopped, looking at Ruan with curiosity. “You know Chloe’s ex-boyfriend is grabbing her in your school hallways.”

Elijah looked at Chloe, and her face confessed the truth. She stammered, unable to find the words to justify it. Her anger flared toward Ruan; she wanted to strike him to make him stop spouting nonsense.

“Leonidas…” was all she could manage.

Elijah fell silent for a brief moment, absorbing what he had just heard, until he finally confessed, “I hired him at Samantha’s request. But if he’s causing trouble, I can handle it.”

“That’s the least I expect from you, Director,” Ruan said, his tone dripping with irony to mask his rage. “Because I’m the only one truly looking out for Chloe, and if I cross paths with Leonidas again—be it here or outside your school—I’m going to end him.”

With that, Ruan turned his back and left, leaving Elijah stunned and unsure of how to react to the news.